Complete Works of Cassiodorus, Vol. I

Var. lib. 1. epist. 4.

Cassiodorus served as Prefect, and was charged with his correspondence, secrets, and mandates; finally, he earned the honor of the Patriciate and the Consulship. Which of all these things has the TELLERIUS Le Tellier not fulfilled under LOUIS THE JUST, or even surpassed under LOUIS THE GREAT? Furthermore, both were promoted not by a fragile happiness, but flew to the apex of power through sudden successes by the play of fortune: yet, as virtues are wont to grow, he ascended to the pinnacle of fame by the rungs of his dignities. In Cassiodorus, incorruptible faith, a spirit most tenacious of the right, and singular prudence flourished: in TELLERIUS, all these things exist in the highest degree. In both, virtue became more honored day by day, and fame was not sought by artifice, not varied, but always and everywhere consistent with itself. And indeed, Cassiodorus managed the offices committed to him with such equity,
Var. lib. 9. epist. 24.

that no one could murmur the contrary about him, but the integrity of his actions overcame those desiring to disparage him. Indeed, consider this same thing said of TELLERIUS, against whom not even the most peevish envy has dared to
Ibid. epist. 25.

sink its teeth. By his labor, as Athalaric attested, the empire did not labor; and when the novelty of the reign demanded that many things be organized, he was the only one sufficient for diverse tasks: the public dictation demanded him, the King’s councils demanded him. This would be an open place to speak of TELLERIUS, if it were now permitted to recall to memory those most deadly times of Gaul, when he strenuously warded off the ruin hanging over the kingdom by his prudence and his counsels. Finally, if Cassiodorus was praised by the mouth of Theodoric as the highest glory of the times, TELLERIUS has received from the most Christian King praises as much more noble as LOUIS THE GREAT excels Theodoric.

We go into the shortcuts of your praises, MOST PREEMINENT MAN, not so that you may appear more illustrious from a comparison with Cassiodorus; but so that he may become more adorned from you. Another might say that you are more just, more prudent, more wise, and more excellent than Cassiodorus: for me, it shall suffice to call you the Cassiodorus of our time, that is, of LOUIS THE GREAT. Your modesty demands this limit, if indeed it is a limit to have pleased the greatest King to such a degree. You yourself would willingly contend with Cassiodorus over this one virtue, lest you be thought inferior to him.